Ligator



Sept. 27, 1938.

W. HART LIGATOR Filed Oct. 11, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor MZer //a W A tiorneys W. HART LIGATOR Sept. 27, 1938.

Filed Oct. 11, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In venior %i%@/ Hal 7 A iiorneys Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGATOR Wilber Hart, Midwest, aw." Application October 11, 1937, Serial No. 168,478 3 Claims. (01.128 36) My invention relates to surgical instruments and more particularly to improvements in socalled ligato-rs for use in tying off. blood vessels.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an instrument of this character for placing a ligature and tying the same in deep narrow cavities in which it is difficult to place or manipulate a ligature with the fingers without tearing the wound.

The invention also coniprehends other objects of a more or less subordinate nature all of which together with the exact nature of my imp-rovements will become apparent when the following description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Figure l is a view in front elevation of a. ligator embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in front elevation drawn to an enlarged scale of the loop-holding end of the ligator,

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows,

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of the shank,

Figure 6 is a view in end elevation of the loopholding end of the ligator,

Figure 7 is a view in end elevation of the tensioning slide, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view looking at the inner side of one end of the loop holder.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, in the illustrated embodiment thereof my improved ligator comprises a rod-like shank or stem I of steel, having a hand-grip end 2 to which a thumbgrip in the form of the usual metal ring 3 is attached by means of a socket 4 on said ring fitting over said end of the shank, and a thumb-screw 5 threaded through said socket and end. From the ring 3 to a. point substantially midway of its ends the shank I is flattened, as at 6, to form a key portion on said shank I terminating at said point in a stop shoulder I. Preferably from the shoulder I the shank is reduced in size, as at 8, to the opposite end thereof to lighten the weight and thereby facilitate manipulation of the instrument. Slidably mounted on the portion 6 of the shank I is a tensioning slide, or carriage, 9 of suitable metal comprising a guide 'sleeve I fitting on said portion 6 and pair of manipulating ears I I, extending from opposite sides of the sleeve Ill, respectively, and apertured, as at l2, for the insertion of the'fingers of the operator therein. A pair of resilient clips I3 extend forwardly from the front of the sleeve Ill on opposite sidesof the longitudinal center of the shank I for clamping a ligature to said sleeve ina manner to be described.

Extending from the end of the shank I, opposite the hand-grip end 2, and disposed in the plane of said shank, is'a bifurcated loop holder I4,

of general horseshoe shape and bar-like structure,

provided with a stud I threaded into said endof the shank I and by means of which said holder is detachably secured to said shank with its free ends outwardly extending. Suitably secured to the free ends of the holder .I4 areopposed pairs of clamping members I6 extending inwardly from said ends adjacent the extremities thereof. The clamping members lfiare preferably formed of a semi-circular length of resilient wire attached at their ends to the holder "I4, the 'membersof each pair being arranged side-by-side for cooperating clamping'action. The holder I4 is provided with a pair of guideopenings I'I therein in the bend thereof and upon oppositesides of the shank I respectively. Y I

Referring to the use of the described ligator, the

ligature I8 is anchored at one end to the slide 9' by means of one of the described clips I3, it being understood that the slide 9 is positioned against the shoulder l. The ligature I8 is then trained alongside the shank I and threaded through the holder I4 by way of the guide openings II on the same side of the shank as said clip I3. From said openings H the ligature I8 is led across the holder I4 outwardly and clamped between the pair of clamping members It on the opposite side of said holder and then looped across the free ends'of the holder I4 and clamped between the other pair of clamping members I6. the last mentioned clamping members I6 the ligature is wrapped loosely, atleast twice, around that portion thereof extending from the first mentioned aperture and then threaded through the other aperture I! and led alongside the shank I to the carriage 9 to which the free end of the ligature isclamped by the other clip I3; As will be clear from an inspection of Figure 3 the described disposition of the ligature I8 forms a loop in the holder I4 loosely tied and held in place by the clampingmembers I6 and openings I1 and arranged to be tied by tension exerted on the ends of the ligature. With the ligature I8 thus arranged, the instrument is, manipulated to Fromlocate or place the loop of the ligature over the ceptible of modification Without departing front.

loop formed therein intermediate the ends thereends of the ligature sufficient to pull the loop tight around said vessel. The ligator may then be freed from the ligature in any suitable manner as by cutting the latter.

The ligator described in the foregoing is especially useful in ligating vessels in performing tonsillectomies and in deep abdominal and kidney incisions. By its use insertion of the fingers and hand into the incision, and particularly into the throat, is entirely obviated. Moreover by virtue of the described ligator, the ligature andpoint to be ligated can always be kept constantly in view thereby aiding in the careful handling of the tissues while ligating and thus reducing trauma.

It is thought that the foregoing will suffice to impart a clear understanding of without further explanation.

Manifestly the invention as .described is sus the inventive concept and right is herein reserved to all such modifications falling within' the scope of the subjoined claims. 'What I claim is:

1. A ligator for use with a ligature having a loop formed therein intermediate the ends thereof and comprising a rod-like shank provided'at one end thereof with a thumb-accommodating ring, a slide splined on said shank for movement toward'and from said ring and provided with finger-grip apertures therein,'a bifurcated holder mounted on the other end of sai'd'shank with the ends thereof outwardly extending, opposed pairs of resilient clamping members on the ends of said holder,respectively, for clampihgly engaging the loop of said ligature upon opposite sides thereof, and means on said slide for releasably securing the ends of the ligature thereto whereby tension may be exerted on said ligature ends by movement of said slide toward said ring;

2. A ligator for use with a ligature having a loop formed therein intermediate the ends thereof the invention holder, respectively, for clampingly engaging the loop of said ligature upon opposite sides thereof, and means on said slide for releasably securing the ends of the ligature thereto whereby tension may be exerted on said ligature ends by movement 'of said slide toward said ring, said means comprising a pair of resilient clips, and the holder having a pair of guide apertures in the bend thereof for the passage of the ends of the ligature therethrough.

3. A ligator for use with a ligature having a of and comprising a rod-like shank provided at one end thereof with a thumb-accommodating ring a slide splined on the shank for movement toward and from said ring and provided with finger-grip apertures therein, a bifurcated holder mounted on the other end of the shank with the ends thereof outwardly extending, means on the ends of said holder fordetachably and slidably securing the opposite sides of the loop to said ends, respectively, whereby said loop is adjustably suspended in said holder in opened condition, and means on the slide for releasably securing the. ends of the ligature thereto whereby tension may be exerted on said ligature end by movement of the slide toward the ring, said means comprising a pair of resilient clips, and the holder having a pair of guide apertures in the bend thereof=for the passage of the ends of the ligature therethrough.

WILBER HART. 

